Hikes in North Thompson Valley

The Stake Lake Cartwheel Trail is a 2.6 km hiking circuit within McConnell Lake Provincial Park that will take you along the edge of a beautiful woodland lake for some scenic views looking out across the water. Along the trail, you will experience an amazing forest setting of mature trees, as well as charming stretches of grassland meadows that feature wildflowers in the summer months. With flat terrain and gorgeous views, this is a quick hike that can be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts of any skill level.

The Margaret Falls Upper Loop is a 5.5 km hiking circuit in Herald Provincial Park that climbs uphill through the forest along Reinecker Creek and offers some amazing views of the falls. Along the trail, you will experience a scenic forest setting filled with mature trees and other types of vegetation, as well as some amazing views of Margaret Falls and Shuswap Lake. This route is made up of wide paths that are well maintained, so while some stretches are a bit steep, they are easily manageable for hikers of most skill levels.

The McConnell Lake Trail is a 3.7 km hiking circuit south of Kamloops, BC, that will allow you to explore the natural beauty of the woodland landscape within McConnell Lake Provincial Park. Along the trail, you will experience a tranquil forest setting that offers some picturesque views across the calm waters of the lake. Featuring flat terrain and amazingly scenic views, this trail is a fun, family-friendly experience that will get you out enjoying the wonderful trails in the Kamloops area.

The Lac du Bois Trail follows a 10.3 km out-and-back hiking route in Kamloops, BC, that will allow you to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the terrain that makes up the Lac du Bois Grasslands Provincial Park. Along the trail, you will have views of beautiful rolling hills, charming grassland meadows, the picturesque lake, and rugged mountains in the backdrop. In addition to being a family-friendly hike, this trail is also dog-friendly, providing the perfect opportunity for your canine companions to run free through the open grassland terrain.

The Lundbom Lake Loop is a 15.1 km hiking circuit within the Sugarloaf Mountain Bike Trail Recreation Site that sets out from the edge of the lake and traverses a beautiful grassland landscape filled with rolling hills. With easily traversable terrain, breathtaking scenery, and access to numerous other routes, this is a fantastic hiking option for both casual and experienced hikers alike. This trail is popular with hikers, mountain bike enthusiasts, and horseback riders, so make sure to pay attention when out on the trail and provide enough space for others to pass.

The Deep Lake Hike is a 3.4 km hiking circuit in Kamloops, BC, that will take you through the grassland terrain to a small hillside lake. Along the trail, you will have some amazing views looking over the city and surrounding mountains, and of course the picturesque lake that is framed by the green grass and blue sky above. While the trail is fairly easy overall, the initial stretch is quite steep and may limit mobility for some hikers.

The Coyote Crossing Hike is a 2.9 km out-and-back hiking route in Kamloops, BC that will take you through the Valleyview Nature Park for some elevated views of the Thompson Valley. Along the trail, you will gradually climb uphill through the beautiful grassland landscape and experience views of the surrounding hills and mountains that frame the valley. This trail is also popular with mountain bikers, so keep an eye out on the trail and leave enough room for them to safely pass.

The Battle Bluff Trail is a 5.3 km out-and-back hiking route in Kamloops, BC that will take you uphill to a rocky bluff with some amazing views overlooking Kamloops Lake and the North Thompson Valley. Although the route does have some steep sections, overall, it is a pleasant hike with well-maintained trails that make it perfect for a family-friendly excursion with some scenic views. This trail is also dog-friendly, meaning that you won’t need to leave your canine companions at home while the rest of the family is out exploring the beautiful outdoors.

The Rivers Trail is a 12.9 km out-and-back hiking route in Kamloops, BC, that follows closely alongside the Thompson River to provide scenic views of the mountainous landscape. The hike borders the Tranquille Wildlife Management Area to the west and passes through the narrow tract of land between the river and the airport, reaching its terminus at Crestline Park. This route features flat, well-maintained trails that are suitable for hikers of all skill levels, including dogs.

The McGillivray Lake Trail is an 8.5 km lollipop hiking route that sets out from the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort and heads through a beautiful forest to a charming woodland lake. Along the hike, you will experience a tranquil forest setting and some amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Although there are several intersecting paths, this trail is well marked from start to finish. Follow the blue markers on the way to the lake and the orange markers on the way back to avoid getting lost. You will be required to purchase a hiking pass to utilize the trails in this area.

The Scatchard Mountain Switchbacks follow a 6.6 km out-and-back hiking route in Chase, BC, that can be used year-round due to its popularity with hikers, cross-country skiers, and horseback riders. Along the trail, you will climb up the hillside via a series of switchbacks and experience some amazingly scenic views overlooking Chase, Little Shuswap Lake, and the mountains behind. Although there is a bit of an incline, this trail is great for hikers of almost every skill level.

The Tom Moore Trail is a 4.8 km lollipop hiking route in Kamloops, BC, that will take you uphill through the Peterson Creek Nature Park for some spectacular views of the surrounding valley landscape. Along the route, you will work your way up the Tom Moore Trail before breaking off on the downhill portion of the hike utilizing the Billy Miner Trail. This trail is perfect for a family outing and is even dog-friendly, meaning you won’t need to leave your canine friend at home while you are out exploring the trails.

The Kenna Cartwright Ridge Trail is a 5.1 km lollipop hiking route in Kamloops, BC that will take you uphill along the ridge for some spectacular views looking out over the city and surrounding valley landscape. Although the trail is able to be used year-round, it can be quite difficult due to the inclines that become icy/muddy in the winter and spring seasons. If you are looking to complete the hike at these times, make sure to bring microspikes and hiking poles. In addition to being a great trail for family hiking, the entire park is also an off-leash dog area.

The Red Tailed Hawk Loop is a 6.1 km lollipop hiking route in Kamloops that winds through Kenna Cartwright Nature Park to provide some amazingly scenic views of the North Thompson Valley. While there are some stretches of light forest cover, the majority of the trail is exposed, so be prepared for a day in the sun. Additionally, this entire park is an off-leash area for dogs, making it an ideal hiking route that the entire family will love.

The Hull Hill Trail is a 7.7 km out-and-back hiking route south of Kamloops, BC, that meanders through the forest along a well-kept dirt road. While out on the hike, you will experience a serene woodland atmosphere and even catch a few glimpses of mountain peaks poking out about the tree canopy. The trail is dog off-leash friendly; however, there are free-ranging cattle in the area, so make sure to keep an eye on your canine companions to avoid any incidents.

The Stake Lake to Ponderosa Trail is a 4.5 km hiking circuit south of Kamloops that winds through the wonderfully forested terrain of McConnell Lake Provincial Park and the Stake Lake Recreation Site. Along the hike, you will be able to relax in the peaceful woodland setting as you work your way around the edges of small ponds and the much larger shores of Stake Lake. Remember to bring a trail map or GPS for this hike, as there are several intersecting trails that may make navigation challenging.

The Drifter and Cowpoke Loop is a 10.6 km hiking circuit south of Kamloops that winds through the forests and meadows of McConnell Lake Provincial Park and the Stake Lake Recreation Site. Along the trail, you will hike along the edge of Stake Lake and pass through some beautifully scenic terrain on the way to the southern portion of the loop that borders Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park. Although the trail is very well maintained, a high number of intersecting trails in the area can make navigation a bit tricky. Be sure to bring a trail map or GPS to avoid getting lost.

The Mara Mountain Cliffs South is a tough lollipop hiking route in Kamloops that climbs uphill through Lac du Bois Grasslands Provincial Park to reach the summit of Mara Mountain. From there, hikers will have a breathtaking view that sweeps across the Thompson River Valley from Kamloops Lake in the west to the city in the east. This hike is located within cougar country, so make sure to bring bear spray and make plenty of noise while out on the trail.

The Mara Loop Trail is a scenic hiking circuit in Kamloops, BC, that winds through the breathtaking terrain of Lac du Bois Grasslands Provincial Park. Along the trail, you will make your way up a gentle incline along the rolling green hills within the park for some amazing views overlooking the Thompson Valley. With well-maintained trails and amazing views of the surrounding landscape, this hike is a perfect option for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels.

The Dewdrop Range Trail is a 14.8 km out-and-back hiking route near Kamloops that climbs uphill into Lac du Bois Grasslands Provincial Park for some amazing views overlooking the Thompson Valley. This route features a large elevation gain and is fairly steep in certain areas, so make sure to wear proper hiking footwear and bring extra gear such as microspikes if you are looking to complete this hike in the shoulder seasons. Additionally, hikers should bring bear spray, as cougars and bears are sometimes spotted in the area.